Caray, Caray!

A lot of what happened at Esme's bedside in the early part of the episode was pretty irrelevant, so it's going to get combined, condensed, etc.  In contrast, some of our supporting cast were using interesting vocabulary and idioms tonight, and making some important revelations, so they're going to get more coverage than they might usually warrant, though still, I opted to combine scenes instead of cutting back and forth.



Esme drifts in and out of consciousness.  She isn't sure whether they got married or not, so Pablo has to break it to her that they didn't.  She remembers the accident.  She doesn't know why there's all this…stuff…on her.  Pablo says it's because it was a serious accident is all.  He doesn't know when they'll be discharged, but Esme figures this will give them time to plan the wedding (again, I guess).  She tells him about her dream that they did get married and everyone was throwing flowers.  Because Pablo is not a man who should ever play poker, she can tell SOMETHING IS WRONG!  Pablo lies and denies.  When Padre Hottie arrives, Esme says he "can't" lie, so would he please tell her what's wrong?  And before Padre Hottie can give any sort of answer, Esme is back out again, giving Pablo a chance to tell the Padre what IS going on, 'cause I don't think he actually knew before.

In Rita's hut, she tells Chácharas that where Esme is concerned "no valen refranes" (platitudes are worthless) because Esme is "salada" (cursed; probably comes from the literal meaning as "salted" as in salting the earth).  Chácharas doesn't believe in bad luck.  This time, it's not about the cards, the universe is now speaking to Rita directly.  She had a dream about Gata running around as a little kid, jumping around like a "chiva" (goat) and then, suddenly, Esme wasn't herself anymore, she was like a doll all "destripada" (gutted) with the "aserrín" (sawdust) coming out and tears in her eyes.  Chácharas tells her not to be a "pájaro de mal agüero" (bird of ill omen) and stop giving him "carne de gallina" (literally "meat of chicken"; goosebumps).  He points to his arm and says it's all "chinito" (pebbled).  He insists on Rita going to the hospital, even though our, ahem, delicate flower Rita says it's just going to bring her down too much. He insists she not bring up anything bad at the hospital…he wants all smiles.

Gisela stalks Esme's room, thought bubbling that she'll wait for Pablo because evil is patient and always "al acecho" (lying in wait).  Jarocha busts her and calls her on her staring, but Gisela says she was "lost in thought."  "Too bad you found the way back.  I'm sure your thoughts were worthless anyway."  Gisela says those are strong words coming from someone who doesn't even know her.  Jarocha says "me doy color rapidito" (I catch on quickly; I've got your number!) just from seeing the look on her face.  Jarocha warns Gisela not to mess with Esme and when Gisela claims to just be a "friend" of Pablo's, Jarocha says that "entre panteras nos sabemos reconocer" ("among panthers we know how to recognize each other"; one cougar recognizes another).  Jarocha is capable of doing whatever it takes to defend Esme.  Gisela's not afraid.  "You should be!"  Because people from "barrio bajo" (the slums) have nothing to lose.  Gisela knows that.  "But you know who's even more dangerous?  People like me.  Crazy people.  You're not afraid because you have nothing to lose.  I, simply, have no fear."  Oooooh.  Thanks for admitting it!

Mercedes makes plans with Lorenza to hand the babies over to her once Fernando has left tomorrow--same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.  Mercedes freaks when she realizes that Fela heard her, but Fela already knew about this.  She says all of "them" are evil and Augie is the worst one.  She remembers now that Augie is THE CHIN!  He was the one who came to take Renata away from her.  And why?  "You had it coming because you never loved me the way I love you.  You don't love me even after all the sacrifices I've made to win your love."  Blanca (in flashback) and I (in my living room) both ask him QTH he's talking about!  "I'm a married woman!  Your obsession for me isn't healthy!"  Augie says he already got rid of her husband, and he'll rot in jail because Blanca loved him the way she never loved Augie.  And now, she's "making" him take her daughter from her side.  "But I'll die!"  Augie would rather she be dead than alive and not loving him.  None of this, I would like to point out, answers my burning question…Why the cloak?  Is he about to go skipping through the woods to take a basket to Granny's?  Back in the present, Fela tells Mercedes that she can't tell Fernando.  He's already determined to get revenge on Augie as it is!  If he finds out about this, he'd kill him!  Mercedes agrees.  So, here's the deal…Fela won't tell Fernando about Mercedes' arrangement with Lorenza (for which he would probably kick her out of the house) and Mercedes won't tell Fernando that Augie's the one who took Esme away.  Mercedes agrees, but says it's not so she won't get kicked out, but because they're friends.

Monica visits Lorenza and tries to get her to put the Big Beads back on ("be the heartless woman you used to be") so she can deal with Gisela.  She tries to tell Lorenza that Gisela is dangerous…unlike Monica, who knows her limits.  But Lorenza, in addition to having acquired some kindness, also got hit with naïveté as a side effect.  She insists that Gisela's interest in Pablo is purely professional.  This scene is intercut with one of Gisela in her gallery, perusing one of Pablo's paintings of Esme and declaring that Pablo will be hers…oh, yes, he will be hers.

Pablo tells Padre Hottie he's worried that Esme is going to freak out when she finds out what's going on.  He's angry because, seriously, hasn't Esme already been through enough!  Padre Hottie means well, but when he says God will reward them both, and with interest, I roll my eyes.  That's going to be a Grand-Canyon-sized reward!  Padre Hottie, unlike most of the cast, actually believes the doctor when he says the paralysis is temporary and there's hope that the operation by the hotshot doctor in Spain can fix it.  Does he really believe it, or is he buying into it so that he can cheerlead without it technically being a lie?  Only his hairdresser knows for sure.

Mercedes and Fela go to the tianguis (outdoor market) at the dump.  Augie, in stalker mode, tails them in a cab.  Fela and Mercedes pick up some fruit to take to Esme…screw hospital rules!  Augie watches them from a distance, lamenting that he's been reduced to this.  A guy with a hand truck comes running along and knocks the cane out from under Augie.  Augie wasn't paying attention to him yelling "va por ahí!" (coming through!).  The guy tells Augie to "bajale el amidón" (lower your starch level; quit being so stuffy) and "póngase a las vivas" (look alive) so he doesn't lose a foot and "póngase las pilas" (get your ass in gear).  Augie decides the guy is right, and he does need to wake up.  All he has access to is the dump, but he'll get his revenge on Silencioso…through Blanca.

At the tianguis, Chácharas and Rita's little afternoon outing is interrupted by the arrival of Dorila…"pájaro de mar por tierra!" (sea bird on land; someone/thing unexpected).  They head to Rita's hut and Rita sends Chácharas away so she and Dorila can have some private time.  Girl talk.  You understand.  Chacharas is reluctant, because he thinks Dorila's got an expression like a "zamuro" (vulture), as they say about the "zopilotes" (vultures) back in Veracruz.  Where he defended his boxing title.  He doesn't like them having secrets, but he ends up leaving.  Rita tells Dorila she'll keep her secret, as long as Dorila pays for it, a "derecho de piso" (pay her dues), she believes it's called.  And she wants payment weekly, 'cause "you know me…secrets and hunger don't mix!"  Dorila gets her hackles up, and Rita tells her to "bájale a tu flan, que por eso se te espesa" (back the hell off; literally "lower the temperature on your flan, that's why it's getting thick" [she's right]).  Dorila is supposed to have been paying her all this time, but she disappeared.  So Rita wants payment "con réditos" ("with returns"; interest).  Dorila agrees…though I have no idea how she's going to pay with Augie and Lo being broke.  She asks about the boy…Rita says she's kept Dorila's secret, even from Dorila herself.  Aw, crap.  It's Carlos, isn't it?  My horrible suspicion is only reinforced by the very next scene being…

Carlos and Virginia enjoying apples in the courtyard of the Institute.  Virginia is asking Carlos why he never tried to find his biological parents.  He misunderstands this as "biónicos" (bionic).  Damn.  I wish his parents really were bionic.  That would be cool.  Anyway, he's not interested.  He says he thinks his mom gave him away for being "morenito" (dark-skinned).  Virginia thinks that's unlikely, as a mother's love isn't dependent on skin color.  Plus, despite differences in appearance, we're all human.  She's a sweet child.  And if the world actually worked that way, I would love it.  But, alas, the way things "should be" is seldom the way things are.  She offers to help him find his "parents."  Carlos looks uncomfortable.  Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Doctor Hottie, aka Javier.  Virginia introduces him to Carlos.  He asks about her "cuñada" (sister-in-law) and says he really wants to meet her.  Carlos says everyone likes her.  After Doctor Hottie walks away, Carlos asks what Virginia's smile is about.  He teases her about her reaction, saying she's probably put her hands all over the doctor to check him out.  Not in a nasty way, he just kind of thinks it's funny that she seems flustered by him.  Much in the same way Mr. 5ft was amused at my reaction to the arrival of Marcelo.  Virginia reassures him that he's the hottest man in the world to her and that in her way, she only has "eyes" for him.

Fela brings Esme the fruit and chatters to her about buying the fruit and some toys for the babies and how all the barrio kids send their love, as does Maria.  Esme wakes up, which is a relief for Fela.  "Mala yerba nunca muere" jokes Esme ("bad weeds never die"), but Fela says she's the prettiest of flowers.  "It's so nice to wake up to your voice, Fela.  I feel like I've known it for years.  Since before we met.  Not in another life or anything like that.  I feel like I've known you for a long time.  Your voice has something special.  Something that makes me feel better."  Fela says she'll keep talking, in that case.  Hey, let's have a bitter conversation in comments about how much it sucks that Esme is STILL being lied to and Fela is STILL being forced to go along with it.

In the hallway, Jarocha reminds Mercedes that they have to keep Esme's condition a secret between…well, pretty much the entire world.  Mercedes is worried about how Damian is going to react when he gets back from his trip.  Sure, tell the entire world that Esme's legs are paralyzed, but Damian's whereabouts are on a need-to-know basis.  Thanks, show.

Padre Hottie visits Esme now that she's awake again.  She keeps asking what's going on and says she feels a little out of it.  For example, she remembers Pablo being there….  PH says that Pablo really was there, and so was he.  Esme doesn't remember the Padre.  She has this feeling that they're hiding something from her.  Padre Hottie says she has nothing to worry about.  "Then, why was Pablo crying?"  Ummmmmmm…because the hospital gift shop doesn't have the right hair gel?  (And, no, they never finished this conversation, so I have no idea what he told her.  Bad editing!)

Rita goes to Meatball's place to try to score some free pizza.  She can't figure out why he's still mad at her when she's forgiven him for choking her.  He no longer wants to so much as hear Gata's name.  If you think you heard him talking about wanting the Pope to visit his shope and eat his pizza, despite being Argentinean, you are correct.  Mrs. Meatball (and he does finally refer to her as his "esposa") shows up and she and Rita argue about the salsa incident.  Rita dials up the drama, talking about Esme's accident and how she's on the verge of death.  Mrs. Meatball asks what hospital (I'm guessing because she assumes Fernando will be there) and Rita won't tell her, because Rita isn't a "chismosa" (gossip) or a "mitotera" (teller of tales).  Remember these words for later.

Rita tells Esme she's been there since Esme was brought in.  Esme says she can't feel her legs and wants to know what's going on.  So, Rita, not being in the loop, apparently, pulls the blankets off Esme's legs and touches Esme's foot, but Esme can't feel it.  Rita offers to go find out what's going on because in matters of "chisme" (gossip) and "mitotes" (tales) "yo me pinto sola" ("I can paint myself"; I need no guidance or encouragement in this area, since that's what I was going to do anyway).  What was that you  said five minutes ago, Rita?

Rita finds Fernando and Jarocha in the cafeteria, where Fernando was just telling Jarocha about the case against Augie advancing.  She asks about Esme's legs and Fernando says it's normal after an accident like that.  Rita's never known paralysis to be something "normal" following an accident.  Jarocha calls her a "vieja mitotera" (tale-telling old lady)…"Oh, so you know more than the doctors now?  Quit making things more difficult for Gata!  I know you'd love to bring her bad news, but there's no point, because what's happening to her is normal!"

Mariano visits Augie and Lorenza's apartment with some paperwork for Augie to sign.  He's still working on Augie's case and hasn't given up on defending him.  Mariano is working for Silencioso, but on a different case (which one?) but Silencioso knows that Mariano is continuing to defend Augie.  Ungrateful Augie accuses Mariano and all his kids of abandoning him and going over to Silencioso's side just because they only ever wanted him for his money.  Mariano is furious at Augie for not taking responsibility for his actions (specifically for not backing off the insults when they warned him he was ripping the family apart) and blaming everyone else.  Augie says he's telling the truth.  His kids, and even his wife, are now on the enemy's side!  Lorenza…brace yourself…says "Oh, please!  All I did was put myself on the side of love!"  No, seriously, she said that.  I am 100% not kidding.  Augie calls her "cursi" (tacky) and leaves the room.  Mariano says it's getting difficult to defend him with that attitude.  Lorenza says she'll talk to him and asks how Pablo is doing, and…again, brace yourself…"how is the mother of my grandchildren doing today?"  Does anyone else feel like we just entered an alternate reality?

At the hospital, Esme keeps trying to feel her legs and freaking out that she can't.  The nurse leaves to go get the doctor, leaving Gisela an opening to come in.  She makes fun of her for touching her legs "as if you didn't know what's happening!"  She would have liked Esme to end up dead after the accident, but instead she got a bigger present.  "What could be better than me being dead?"  Gisela calls her a "zarrapastrosa" (dirty, scruffy) and says "Sure, you're alive, but I don't know if…with what you've got…it can be called life."  She grabs Esme and says what she has is "invalidez" (disability).  She calls her "rascuache" (penniless) and giddily announces that Esme is paralyzed.

At the house, Fernando, Fela, and Mercedes talk about how if Esme finds out about her legs now, the shock would make her health even worse.

Esme screams at Gisela that it's not true.  Gisela says she can't be that "tarada" (stupid).  "Can't you see that you can't feel your legs?"  Esme says it must be temporary.  Gisela mocks her for thinking it could be temporary and calls her "gata babosa" (slimy cat).  Esme keeps screaming it can't be true, that she can't be "lisiada"(disabled).  Gisela agrees that she can't be just a "lisiada"…she's a "maldita lisiada."  Esme tells her to get out already.  "I don't know why everyone's so nice to you, since you're paralyzed now.  Besides, I don't know why you're mad at me!  All I did was tell you the truth, so you won't go around like an idiot asking why you can't feel your legs.  Te quité la venda de los ojos!"  (I took the blindfold off).  Jarocha comes in and is furious when Esme asks her if it's true.  She starts beating the crap out of Gisela and shoves her out into the hallway to continue the fight.  Meanwhile, Esme continues freaking out and unbalances herself enough to go tumbling off the side of the bed.

Tomorrow: Fernando and Mariano are closing in on Gisela, Esme shoves Pablo at Gisela.  Screw the two-word sentences and let the four-letter words fly.

[ETA: An homage to one of the few real galanes on this show!]



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